BP blocked from new government contracts over Gulf spill

(CNN) -- The U.S. government will block oil giant BP from winning new government contracts over its "lack of business integrity" stemming from the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday.

The decision follows the London-based company's decision to plead guilty on November 15 to 11 criminal charges related to the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig and subsequent release of about 205 million gallons of oil into the Gulf.

The EPA decision bars BP and its affiliate companies from winning new government contracts, grants or other business until the company can show the agency that it meets federal business standards.

It does not affect any existing BP contracts with the government, the EPA said.

BP's U.S. press office did not immediately return a message seeking comment on the EPA announcement.